Why it matters:
Araghchi’s remarks come amid escalating regional tensions following U.S. and British airstrikes on Yemen. His comments reflect Tehran’s stance against Western intervention and its opposition to American support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
The big picture:
The U.S. and U.K. launched deadly airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and Sa’ada Province, killing up to 31 civilians, including women and children, and injuring 101. The strikes followed Yemen’s decision to enforce a ban on Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea in support of the oppressed Palestinians.
What he’s saying:
In a post on X, Araghchi declared that the era of U.S. influence over Iranian foreign policy “ended in 1979.” He said former U.S. President Joe Biden was being “bamboozled” into "handing $23 billion to a genocidal regime,” holding Washington accountable for over 60,000 Palestinian deaths. He demanded an end to U.S. support for Israeli genocide and terrorism and the killing of Yemenis.
Go deeper:
The attacks on Yemen mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Red Sea crisis, with the U.S. aggression to support the Israeli regime. Iran’s stance reinforces Tehran’s alignment with resistance movements across West Asia.
Mojtaba Darabi